Research Methods in Clinical Pharmacology
Code: 42360 ECTS Credits: 9| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacology | OT | 0 |
Contact
- Name:
- Francesc Jimenez Altayo
- Email:
- francesc.jimenez@uab.cat
Teachers
- Maria Antonieta Agustí Escasany
- Magi Farre Albaladejo
- Antonio Francisco Vallano Ferraz
- Ignacio José Gich Saladich
- Caridad Pontes Garcia
- Immaculada Danes Carreras
- Clara Perez Maña
- Judit Riera Arnau
- Maria Gloria Cereza Garcia
- Mónica Sabaté Gallego
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
It is recommended to have passed the Module 2.
Basics in statistics and epidemiological methods can help to understand the material taught in this module.
Objectives and Contextualisation
Apply basic pharmacological and methodological knowledge to develop clinical drug research and interpret the results.
Apply basic pharmacological and methodological knowledge to carry out a critical analysis of clinical research.
Competences
- Design and conduct research on drugs.
- Generate innovative ideas.
- Interpret one's own and other results of research on drugs.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply and interpret multivariate statistical techniques, the different regression models and the analysis of repeated-measure designs.
- Generate innovative ideas.
- Plan and design clinical and epidemiological studies. (pharmacovigilance and use of medicines).
- Plan and design clinical trials with medicines.
- Plan and design pharmacoeconomic studies.
- Recognise and apply the ethical and quality requirements for conducting clinical research with drugs.
- Use the results obtained in clinical research to justify decisions on pharmacological treatment.
Content
b) Adverse effects of medications and pharmacovigilance: need for pharmacovigilance and methods of application. Adverse reaction notification systems: spontaneous notification data, national and international programs. Analytical observational studies in pharmacoepidemiology (cohorts, cases and controls, meta-analysis). Other strategies for assessing adverse effects. Evaluation of the benefit / risk ratio. Pharmacovigilance and agents involved (regulators). Definition and classification of drug use studies. Consumer studies Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of medications. Study of the process variables: indication, therapeutic scheme and factors that condition the use of medications. Intervention studies. Pharmaceutical policy (regulators, industry and international organizations).
c) Basic type of economic evaluation study: cost minimization, cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility. Basic methodological elements in the economic evaluation studies. Interpretation of studies of economic evaluation of medicines.
d) Limitations of the investigation in view of its clinical impact. Evidence-based medicine and critical evaluation of medical publications. Instruments that facilitate the clinical application of research results (meta-analysis, clinical practice guides, systematic reviews). The clinical practice guides: methodology and quality assessment. Critical evaluation of observational safety and efficacy research.
e) Protection of patient rights. International ethical codes. CEICs Legislation: regional, national and supranational. Regulatory Agencies Good clinical practice The national normative evolution: the new biomedical research law.
f) Reference population and sample. Hypothesis and error. Multivariate analysis. Regression Analysis Survival Analysis Linear and generalized models. Analysis of repeated measurements.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Classroom Practices (PAUL) | 40 | 1.6 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Seminars of case studies (SCC) | 12 | 0.48 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Theory (TE) | 17.5 | 0.7 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Interactive case resolution | 13 | 0.52 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| review of written works | 24 | 0.96 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Unscheduled tutoring | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Study, writing papers ... | 113 | 4.52 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
The teaching methodology used in the different training activities of Module 3 includes master classes, design of clinical studies and discussion in a group of them during practical seminars, as well as practices on critical reading of published studies and strengthening a critical attitude towards the information available in order to enhance the skills and willingness to research.
The module's note is the arithmetic mean of the notes of the matters that make up it.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The use of AI technologies is permitted only for support tasks (such as information search, text correction, or translations) and in specific activities as indicated. Students must clearly identify the parts generated with AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these influenced the process and final outcome. Non-transparent use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in penalties.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance and participation | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Presentations | 25 % | 1.5 | 0.06 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
| Written examination | 25 % | 1 | 0.04 | 1, 2, 7, 4, 3, 5, 6 |
The grade for the module is the arithmetic mean of the grades of the subjects that comprise it.
Bibliography
bibliographical and documentary resources:
Textbooks:
- Laporte JR. Principios básicos de investigación clínica. Acceso on-line gratuito:
http://www.icf.uab.cat/ca/productes/publi/subllibres/pbic.html
- Laporte JR, Tognoni G. Principios de epidemiología del medicamento. Acceso gratuito:
http://www.icf.uab.cat/ca/productes/publi/subllibres/pem.html
- Figueras A, Narváez E, Vallano A. Estudios de utilización de medicamentos. Acceso gratuito:
http://www.icf.uab.cat/ca/productes/publi/subllibres/eum_man.html
- Diogène E. Guía de investigación clínica para la atención primaria. Ediciones Mayo, Barcelona 2005.
- The AGREE Research Group. Instrumento AGREE, 2009.
Software
No software is needed.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAULm) Classroom practices (master) | 101 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLABm) Practical laboratories (master) | 101 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (SCCm) Clinical case seminars (master) | 101 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 101 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |